Top for automobiles, etc



Nov. 4 5924. 158,790

O L. E. SHAW TOP FOR AUTOMOBILES, ETC

Filed Nov. '7, 1919 @f l INVENTOR.

fi WSW i: e 3% M2; 7

\ ATTORNEY. I

K I I Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS E. SHAW, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG'NOR TO EDVJAR-D J. BULL- WINKEL, OF NET/V YORIQfN. Y.

TOP FOR AUTOMOBILES, ETC.

Application filed November 7, 1919. Serial No. 336,249.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS E. SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tops for Auto mobiles, Etc, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in folding tops for automobiles and similar vehicles.

It is the especial object of the invention to produce a folding top construction in which the top supports and the operating mech anism for folding the top are so arranged that the top in its opening and closing movement is substantially self-sustaining in any position so that the top can be opened or closed easily and readily by a single operator and from any position either within or beordinary side flap, when the top is in an eX- side the vehicle on which the top is used.

A further object of the invention is to produce a folding top construction in which a minimum of head space in required for raising or lowering the top.

A further object of the invention is to produce a top in which the operating mechanism for folding and extending the top will be concealed from outside view by the tended or up position.

A further object of the invention is to produce a folding mechanism for extending or collapsing the top in which the use of socket springs or other such devices are eliminated.

/Vith these and other objects not specifically referred to in View, the invention consists in certain novel constructions and parts, which will now be described in detail in connection with the accompanying draw ings, in whioh V Figure 1 is aside view partly broken away and partly in section of the improved top as applied to a top of an automobile, the

top being shown in a raised or extended position;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the construction as shown in Fig. 1, the parts being shown as partially collapsed or folded; and

Figure 3 is a side View partly in section of the top-operating mechanism showing the parts in the position they occupy when the top is folded or collapsed.

Referring now to these drawings, the improved top-operatin'g .mechanism is illustrated as attached to the tonneau of an automobile or motor car, part of which is shown, marked 1. It will be understood that, if desired, the construction may be employed in places other than motor cars where a folding top is desirable, such as horse drawn vehicles, motor boats, etc.

I have devised a top-operating mechanism for effecting the objects above referred to, which consists generally in the provision of a balancing linkage system located between the front and rear top supporting bows of the top, this linkage being so arranged and so assembled as to act to substantially sus tain the top in any position it may take during its opening or closing movement and, furthermore, the linkage mechanism is so arranged as to be concealed from the. outside of the car by the usual side flap. While the particular character of the linkage may vary, it will preferably be such that the linkage is not locked at any point in the position the top may assume, either closed or fully extended.

In the particular construction illustrated there is provided a front bow 2 to which one end of the fabric 3 of the top of the car is secured. P'ivoted to the side of the tonnea-u on a pin 4 is a rear supporting bow marked 5 to which the top fabric 3 is also attached. This fabric may be extended from the bow 5 and be secured to the tonneau of the machine at a point marked 6 or, if desired, the fabric may be stopped at the bow 5 and held in position when extended by straps, one of which is indicated by the numeral 7.

Located between the top bow 2 and the rear bow 5 is an improved operating linkage mechanism. In the construction illustrated this will include an intermediate how 8 pivoted on the stud or pin 4:, before referred to. The system will also include a short how 9 located between the bows 5 and 8. These bows'8'and 9, as illustrated, are in contact with the fabric when the top is in open position as shown in Fig. 1, and hold the fabric in place intermediate the bows 5 and 2. The short bow acts as a fulcrum for a series of links, which are shown in the form of a lazy or pin 16 on the short bow 9, this pin 16 acting as a fulcrum for the lazy tongs,

With this construction the lazy tongs are given a movement which is but little above horizontal, so that as the top swings back in the closing movement it is raised but slightly above the plane necessaryto permit the swinging movement of the bow 8, thus requiring a minimum of head room during the opening and closing movement.

To effect the function of substantially self-Sustaining the top in any position, the linkage system will include an operating link 17 and what may be termed acontroller link 18, the function of this last one being to prevent the links from locking as the top is opened. The operating link 17 is pivoted at 19 to one end of the link 14 above referred to, and the link 12 is pivoted to the link 17 at a point 20 toward one end of the link 17. The link 18 is pivoted to the link 12 at a point2l beyond the pivot point 20, and at its other end is provided with a slot 22 in which is free to work a pin 23 carried on one end of a side arm 24, hereinafter referred to. The link 17 is also provided with a slot 25. in which the pin 23 is located free i to work.

7 With this construction (see Fig. 2 which shows the parts in intermediate position), the side arm 24 and link 17. are prevented from looking as they approach a right angle position in the opening movement of the top. This link 18 also. acts; to sustain the parts as they come forward, the pin 23 bearing against the end of the slot 22 in the link.

The top, forward of the how 8, is supported by a link construction cooperating with the link construction just described. As shown, the side arm 24 is pivoted to a pin 26 on a bracket on the upper end of the bow 8. The side arm 24 extends beyond the pivot pin 26 and at 27 is pivoted to the end of a side arm 28 which at its other end is con nected to the front bow 2.

In the best constructions, means will be provided f r preventing the side arm 24- a d he end 28 of th top how from passing cener so as to prevent thei lo ing when the p s opened.- While this mean he ried, in the particular construction illustrated, t ere is provided Wha mayb termed a s op nk 29 pi oted, at 3 to the t p of th ends f he ront how 28 n at 31 o the racket 26 on h w 8, before r ferred: to. This link 2 s o n in Figl, acts. as a stop for preventing he sidearm 24 from passing center at pivot 27- In long top it nay b de irable o progiven a slight upward movement.

vide an additional fabric supporting bow, and such additional support is shown. But it will be understood that in short tops this may be omitted without affecting the opera tion of the rest of the mechanism. In the particular construction illustrated, there is provided'an additional supporting bow 32, this bow being pivoted at 33 to arm 2d, before referred to. This intermediate bow is operated through a link 34; pivoted at 35 to how 32 and at 36 to the link 29, before referred to, this construction permitting the bow to be swung in an are but slightly higher than the top as the topcloses. V

Constructions embodying the invention will include means whereby the how. 5 is.

hel rigid while the other parts are being brought into folded. position. The bow 5 thus acts to sustain the parts While they are being folded after they have passed the center. While this may be effected in various ways, in the particular construction illus- 'trated,there is provided a spring 37, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, this spring being concealed within the sides of the tonneau.

The parts are closed against the tension of this spring, which thus acts to hold the bow 5 and the parts asthey are fold-ed in sustaining position. 1

While but one linkage system is shown and described, it will be unders o d. that it i duplicated on the other side of the top;

The parts are designed, in the best constructions, so that when the top is raised or extended the top bow will be slightly above the top of the Wind shield, which is indicated by the numeral 40,which top is fastened by any suitable securing means, as a screw 41, so that when fastening the top to the wind shield it can be drawn down slightly thus putting all the parts under strain and 'pro- 7 vide a rigid structure.

It will be understood, however, that in closing the top either the arm 24; or the arm 28 is pulled downwardly. It is first released from the wind shield and at the same time When this has been done the top may be closed from any position, that is, by pushing on the fron bow 1 or he side how 8 eith s de of the car froin W thin the car. 1

While the invention has. been Shown and des ri ed i hat is believed to be its most p eferable form, it will be understood that various chang s may he made n the specific cons ruc ion sho n and d scrib d for e fecting the results, and the invention not ed to he pre ise a rangement of hows a d l nks sho n, a

. What i cl imed is:

l. n a top, he combination of: a pivoted ront how, a pi ote rear topsuniiort, a

side arm connected with the front top support, a second side arm pivotally connected to the first named side arm, a pin on the end of the second side arm, a lazy tongs connected to the rear top support at one end, and a pair of sliding operating links having recesses in which the pin works connected with the lazy tongs.

2. In a top, the combination of a pivoted front how, a pivoted rear top support, a side arm connected with the front top support, a second side arm pivotally connected to the first named side arm, a pin on the end of the latter side arm, a lazy tongs connected to the rear top support at one end, a swinging fulcrum for the lazy tongs, and sliding operating links having recesses in which the pin works connected with the lazy tongs.

3. In a top, the combination with a pivoted front bow, of a pivoted rear top support, a pair of lazy tongs connected thereto, a swinging support to which the lazy tongs are connected, intermediate their ends, a pair of operating links connected to the lazy tongs, a pin on which the operating links slide, a side arm to which the pin is secured at one end, an intermediate bow to which the side arm is pivoted, a second side arm? extending from the front how, a link pivoted to the first side arm intermediate'its ends, a link connecting said link and the second named side arm, and a spring against the tension of which the rear top support is moved to close position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

LOUIS E. SHAW. 

